History

With a history of over 170 years, Liverpool Hope University has a strong tradition of scholarship and research in science, the arts, humanities, social science and education.

Our earliest founding colleges, established in the 19th century (1844 and 1856), were among the first to provide opportunities for higher education to women.

Granted University title by the Privy Council in 2005.

Granted Research Degree Awarding Powers by the Privy Council in 2009.

Liverpool Hope University is the only ecumenical university foundation in Europe, and is open to all.

Location and Transport

The university is based in Liverpool, named by the Rough Guide in 2014 as the third best city in the world. Liverpool has two Premier League football teams, two magnificent cathedrals, a UNESCO World Heritage recognised waterfront, galleries with some of the best collections of art in the country, more listed buildings than any other city outside London, an internationally renowned Philharmonic Orchestra, several theatres (including the 2014 RIBA award-winning Everyman) and a large arena for concerts and other performances.

Liverpool is easily accessible by train (two hours from London), trans-Pennine and cross-country routes, National Express coaches and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The university has two beautiful garden campuses, Hope Park and the Creative Campus both of which have easy access to the city centre. A free shuttle bus links both campuses.

Hope Park houses the Faculties of Science, Education, and the Humanities (including the Liverpool Hope Business School), the Sheppard Worlock Library and all Student Support Services.

Aigburth Park is a student residential village with a free bus link to both campuses.

High quality learning environments and excellent facilities enhance our students’ experience – this is why we are constantly investing in our campuses.

Both campuses are wonderfully landscaped locations with a mixture of traditional, Grade II listed buildings and contemporary architecture housing modern facilities. The Creative Campus is home to Angel Field, a magnificent 21st century Renaissance-style garden. The garden won a RIBA Landscape Award in 2011, with Country Life magazine describing it as '...one of the best examples of conceptual landscape design in the country.'

Entry Requirements

For 2017 entry: the standard offer level is between BCC–ABB at A Level or equivalent, or 104–128 new UCAS tariff points, plus any further subject specific entry requirements.

Some subjects also require students to attend an interview or audition.

The normal requirement for entry to a PGCE course is a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree.

The normal requirement for entry to a Masters course is a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree.

For a full list of acceptable qualifications and offer levels, please refer to the subject entry profiles which are available from the UCAS website.

Student Mix

The 5,550 students enrolled in the academic year 2014/15 comprise:

Level of study

Undergraduate 71%

Postgraduate 29%

Mode of study

Full Time 78%

Part Time 22%

Domicile

UK 96%

EU 1%

Other 2%

Student gender

Male 30%

Female 70%

Course Flexibility

Liverpool Hope has made a commitment to each student that they will have small group tutorials with a named tutor each week, and that all teaching should be research-informed.

This learning structure offers students the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge throughout the academic year with associated assessment in both formative and summative formats.

Liverpool Hope provides a rounded formation of the graduate within the discipline.

Each department has developed the notion of a 'disciplinary core' ensuring that all students studying a subject area (whether as single or combined honours) have a commonality of experience and learning, which reflects the concept of the graduate in the discipline, benchmarked against the best universities in the world.

In each subject the curriculum is designed to actively support student progression and enhancement; it involves a journey through the discipline that deepens and allows specialisms as each student moves through their years of study.

Staff and students are provided with opportunities for enhanced engagement and deep learning, with study at all levels encompassing seminars and small group tutorials.

Research-led seminars in the final year provide opportunities for students to choose specialisms which particularly interest them.

All students will undertake a dissertation or advanced research project in their final year.

Teaching Standards

1st in the north west for student satisfaction with teaching, assessment and feedback ,academic support and personal development (NSS 2015).

In February 2016 Liverpool Hope was commended by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) for its enhancement of student learning opportunities.

The QAA also identified examples of good practice in the integration of student support services with academic provision to enhance students' engagement with their studies, and the university's strategic approach to supporting staff development to enhance learning and teaching practices.

Liverpool Hope is in the top 20 of all UK universities for the percentage of academic staff with doctorates – ahead of University of Birmingham, University of Lancaster, University of Leeds and King’s College London.

Students learn from world leading academics, internationally acclaimed visiting professors and professional tutors with extensive practitioner or industry experience.

Research Standards

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 55% of the university’s academic staff submitted research and over a third of this was rated as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, outputs were rated as world leading in eight Units of Assessment – English, Psychology, History, Music, Education, Sport and Exercise Science, Theology and Social Work and Social Policy.

More than 35 nationalities on our academic staff, including world ranking scholars.

Liverpool Hope is home to a number of research centres including: Socio-Economic Research Centre; Centre for Applied Research in Security Innovation (CASI); Centre for Education Policy Analysis; Andrew F. Walls Centre for the Study of African and Asian Christianity; Archbishop Desmond Tutu Centre for War and Peace Studies; National Centre for Christian Education; Centre for Culture and Disability Studies.

Academic Strengths

A degree from Liverpool Hope University ensures exposure to top scholars in every department, excellent study facilities and a culture and ethos of individual care.

English Literature and Language – all academic staff hold doctorates and almost half of its research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Computer Science – led by research in Systems Engineering, Intelligent Systems and Simulation and Modelling.

Education – over half of research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2014 REF and on teaching, "All indications are that the good outcomes in 2013 are strengthening" (Ofsted 2014).

Music – one of only six all-Steinway schools in UK higher education and producing world leading research as judged by the 2014 REF.

Theology – all staff submitted to the 2008 RAE and 2014 REF, producing world leading research.

Social Work – rooted in social justice, fully accredited qualifying courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level with research rated as world leading in 2014 REF.

Undergraduate Courses

Type of Qualification:

Mode of study:

Student Facilities

£60m invested in our campuses over the last 8 years.

Our new £8.5m Health Sciences Building opened in January 2016. It houses specialist laboratory spaces dedicated to nutrition, genomics, cell biology and psychology, along with laboratories and space for sport and exercise science, including a 25-metre biomechanics sprint track.

Phase two of the development, a £5.5mi new sports complex, is due to open in October 2016. It will feature a six court, two storey main sports hall, gym/fitness rooms, strength and conditioning suite, changing facilities, squash courts, café, lecture theatres and retractable tiered spectator seating for show court events.

The Creative Campus is home to the state-of-the-art Capstone Theatre; the Grade II listed Cornerstone Building and Great Hall; Hopkins Hall Residential Accommodation; three dance studios; music technology laboratories; recording studios; studios for painting, sculpture, ceramics, metal and textiles; the Cornerstone Gallery.

Free wi-fi for students across both campuses and university accommodation.

The Student Gateway provides a central contact point for all student support services.

Aigburth Park student village was refurbished in 2014.

Liverpool Hope is one of only six higher education institutions in the country with All-Steinway School status.

A range of spaces across both campuses provide the opportunity for quiet study, social learning, and space to practice presentations.

The Sheppard Worlock Library and Creative Campus library contain a core print collection of more than 309,000 items, plus access to an extensive collection of online resources including e-books, e-journals and online reference resources. There are also a number of special collections including the Radcliffe Collection, Picton Collection, Nugent Care Archive and Professor Andrew F. Walls Centre for the Study of African and Asian Christianity (CSAAC).

We have more than 1000 PCs across various locations, including in the library and other open access spaces and computer labs, which can be used when teaching isn’t taking place.

Fresh Hope student dining hall and Our Place bar and restaurant provide good value and high quality food and drink.

THIS Student Radio Station offers opportunities to present and produce.

The university’s Capstone Theatre attracts international artists and hosts the Cornerstone Arts Festival and Liverpool International Jazz Festival.

The university also owns and operates Plas Caerdeon Outdoor Education Centre in North Wales which delivers residential outdoor activity for students and staff and is often used for field research.

Liverpool Hope has links with arts and culture organisations across the city. In 2016 the second £10,000 Liverpool Hope Playwriting Prize was launched in conjunction with the Royal Court Theatre Liverpool.

Disability Services

We have a team of Learning Support Advisers who are available to offer confidential advice and guidance, including face-to-face meetings, telephone and Skype appointments. During term-time the Learning Support Service also offers daily drop-in advice sessions for brief queries. Support provided by the team may include:

Liaison with the university Accommodation Services Team regarding disability-related needs in Halls of Residence.

Advice on assessments for dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.

Guidance with applications for the Disabled Students’ Allowances funding.

Discussion about the content of a Learning Support Plan to inform university staff of your support needs.

Students' Union

The union offers sports, social activities, societies and volunteering opportunities, as well as advice, support and representation within the university and nationally.

It runs regular forums at both campuses to ensure students’ voices are heard.

Sports teams include badminton, cheerleading, football, Gaelic football and rugby.

The growing number of societies includes musical theatre, ISOC, History and Politics and Feminist.

The union arranges Welcome Week events, a summer ball, awards nights as well as club nights at local venues.

The union also works with the university bar Our Place to host events throughout the year.

Availability of Part-Time Work

Students can register with Hope Works, which advertises part-time jobs on campus.

Students are also encouraged to register for the Service and Leadership Award, which, as well as encouraging community service, offers professional training in leadership.

The Employability Hub can also advise on applying for part time work locally.

Careers Guidance

We have developed a range of employability initiatives to help our students achieve their full potential. A careers programme is embedded in all subject areas.

Our Employability Hub offers workshops with employers, careers fairs, a regular employability bulletin and advice on gaining both voluntary work experience and paid work. Careers advice and guidance is also available through 1:1 interviews.

All students have access to My Career Centre – an online portal with interactive tools and advice. Students are also encouraged to register for the Service and Leadership Award, which, as well as encouraging community service, offers professional training in leadership. Incubation space for Liverpool Hope graduates starting their own business is also available.

Students can register with Hope Works, which advertises part-time jobs on campus.

The Employability Hub can also advise on applying for part time work locally.

Recent/Prospective New Builds

£60m invested in our campuses over the last 8 years.

Our new £8.5m Health Sciences Building opened in January 2016. It houses specialist laboratory spaces dedicated to nutrition, genomics, cell biology and psychology, along with laboratories and space for sport and exercise science, including a 25-metre biomechanics sprint track.

Phase two of the development, a £5.5m new sports complex, is due to open in September 2016. It will feature a six court, two storey main sports hall, gym/fitness rooms, strength and conditioning suite, changing facilities, squash courts, café, lecture theatres and retractable tiered spectator seating for show court events.